FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The University of Arkansas will host the 2004 Institute of Biological Engineering (IBE) Conference January 9-11 at the Radisson Hotel in Fayetteville. The conference, entitled "Exploring Frontiers of Biological Engineering," will showcase the expertise and research of scientists and students from numerous national institutions, including the U of A, and discuss strides made in the relatively young field of biological engineering.

Biological engineering is a biology-based engineering discipline, which specializes in solving problems related to biological systems. This includes systems dealing with plants, animals, humans and the environment. The 2004 IBE conference will highlight five key disciplines of biological engineering: bionanotechnology, DNA nanostructures, biosensor development, bioprocessing and ecological engineering.

"What an exciting time to be involved with biological engineering," Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department Head, Dr. Lalit Verma said. "With so many advances being made on almost a daily basis, we are at the tip of the iceberg of our capabilities, and I believe this conference will serve as a guide for new directions in biological engineering."

The IBE was established to encourage broad inquiry of biological engineering as a truly biology-based discipline not limited to service to a few specific client industries. The organization strives to promote collaboration among a broad network of engineers and scientists across numerous traditional disciplines, societies and application areas. It can thereby enable integration of scientific understandings, philosophical views, and engineering principles and practices beyond the constraints of individually focused disciplines and groups.

In addition to Dr. Verma being elected 2004 IBE President and conference chair, the U of A will have significant departmental representation at the meeting. A total of 13 faculty members will take part in panels and sessions, and 30 students, ranging from undergraduates to post-doctoral candidates, will be involved in sessions, a poster contest and a dinner/fund-raiser for the UA Biological Engineering Student Club.

"It is so exciting to see the University of Arkansas represented so well at this year’s conference," Verma said. "This will serve as a great opportunity to share our visions for the future and also learn from our respected colleagues."

The department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering serves the UA Division of Agriculture, Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences and the College of Engineering. For more information about the 2004 IBE Conference, including a complete schedule of events, visit the Web site at http://www.ibeweb.org/.